The Scarlet Pimpernel

My second-favorite musical of all. It's got swordfighting, romance, comedy, the works. Hope it gets revived in the US sometime soon.

R.

This is such a great show. I saw it entirely for Brad Little, knowing absolutely nothing about the show going in, and I absolutely loved it.

I've always liked the novel and like what I've heard and seen of this on youtube, etc.

If it were revived, I would most definitely see it.

Loved this show, was the first show I ever saw on Broadway in 1999 on my first overseas trip and went into it knowing nothing of the story or music but had heard of rave reviews of Douglas Sills that it wasn't to be missed - it didn't dissapoint. It was such a fun show that had a bit of everything in it, but loved most of all the wonderful ensemble numbers and the great bits of humour. Alas, a professional show has never appeared here in Oz and its not something that the non professional groups seem to pick up ( have only seen one of them do it a few years ago)- they seem to go for more popular known shows that will bring in the crowds.

Hoping I will get to see it again one day

Bonnie

Someone very close to me, recorded the Prayer.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Nmv_B_ri1E

Beautiful - loved the powerful high notes and feeling expressed.

Bonnie

Hi Raphael!

A little late to the party I know...but I saw The Scarlet Pimpernel on Broadway with the original cast, and I really enjoyed it! I esp liked Terrence Mann in the role of Chauvlin (he's one of my fave Broadway musical actors). I also own the OCR CD.

I have both the OCR and Reprise album after the show got rebooted during its Broadway run (taking notes, ALW? That's how you improve a show - you go through it and change EVERYTHING THAT NEEDS CHANGING in order to make it work). Still a favorite to listen to and one of the few musicals I wouldn't mind seeing adapted into an animated film.

R.

Raphael wrote:I have both the OCR and Reprise album after the show got rebooted during its Broadway run (taking notes, ALW? That's how you improve a show - you go through it and change EVERYTHING THAT NEEDS CHANGING in order to make it work). Still a favorite to listen to and one of the few musicals I wouldn't mind seeing adapted into an animated film.

R.

You know, I saw the *original* SP production on Broadway -- not the "reboot". I enjoyed the original -- didn't think it had that many flaws.

Hmm, an animated film of the SP musical...would be interesting for sure.

Raphael wrote:My second-favorite musical of all. It's got swordfighting, romance, comedy, the works. Hope it gets revived in the US sometime soon.

R.

<3 you even more!! haha

Now time to rub it in ... I got to be in the show at my community theatre. I got to play Mercier (best part ever!) and pretty much is Chauvelin's bitch

I love this musical. I remember back when I was on the Masquerade forums (yes, lol), someone made a comment about the Broadway album and how I should pick it up. I remember for my Birthday, I went to a local record store and was gifted a couple CD's of Broadway shows, this one included. Took me a *bit* to get into it, now I adore it. Like others, I didn't understand the problems the first version had. I hated when they turned 'Storybook' into a kid friendly opening for the show by the 2.0 version. Douglas Sills and Christine Andreas were adorable. I heard people were kind of iffy on Terrence Mann because he seemed to be re-playing his role of Javert again, but I enjoyed him.

I really hope they revive the show but seeing what is being done to J&H, kind of glad it hasn't been.

ML6 wrote:I love this musical. I remember back when I was on the Masquerade forums (yes, lol),

You were in the Masquerade forums too?? So was I!! Reunion!!

There's bits and pieces I like about each version. The OBC is my favourite of course. Douglas and Christine were absolutely perfect for their parts! I love Terrence Mann so I loved his performance as Chauvelin as well! I've read a few interviews and one being from Terrence about the comparison between Javert and Chauvelin and they are quite similar. I believe Terrence said something to the effect of "Chauvelin is just like Javert but with a love affair" and he's right. Citoyen Armaund Chauvelin is based off of Bernard-François, marquis de Chauvelin who you can read a bit about here ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard-François,_marquis_de_Chauvelin

If you also take the comparison between Javert and Eugène François Vidocq they both have similarities between both Chauvelin's. I know I'm kinda leaving it very vague but if you would like me to elaborate further I can do so (but will need to do some old research that I use to know off the top of my head haha)

LesMizPhan wrote:

ML6 wrote:I love this musical. I remember back when I was on the Masquerade forums (yes, lol),

You were in the Masquerade forums too?? So was I!! Reunion!!

And who were you? :O

I can't exactly remember (I think I went through multiple screen names) but mostly I was Inspector (or Inspecteur)

LesMizPhan wrote:
Now time to rub it in ... I got to be in the show at my community theatre. I got to play Mercier (best part ever!) and pretty much is Chauvelin's bitch

Awesome

I brought a bunch of my fencing buddies to see the show when the tour came to San Francisco years ago. We hung out at the stage door and spoke to Douglas Sills. When we mentioned we were all fencers he immediately got into the classic en-garde position And I heard at the very next stop they sped up the Percy/Chauvelain swordfight choreography

I like both the OBC and the Encore. While I prefer the spunkiness of Rachel York of "Encore", I also prefer the more serious (read: not overacted) Terrence Mann of the OBC. As for the change to open the show with "Storybook," I heard it was because opening it with "Madame Guillotine" made audiences assume it was going to be a heavy dramatic piece like "Les Miserables," so "Storybook" set the overall tone better.

R.

Raphael wrote:As for the change to open the show with "Storybook," I heard it was because opening it with "Madame Guillotine" made audiences assume it was going to be a heavy dramatic piece like "Les Miserables," so "Storybook" set the overall tone better.

R.

What? Aww come on, having someone's head cut off as the start of the show is totally badass!!

Rex Smith in the Encore didn't do anything for me (I'd rather see him in Pirates of Penzance). I also like seeing how Terrence plays the role of Javert and then Chauvelin (Chauvelin's role being the better of the two in my opinion) Chauvelin can have a little fun with Scarlet Pimpernel because the whole love affair in the SP series (all 17 novels) doesn't show up until later books. (SP is the 3rd book in the series btw so the love affair doesn't get brought up til like book 5 and a bit in book 2)

Raphael wrote:

LesMizPhan wrote:
Now time to rub it in ... I got to be in the show at my community theatre. I got to play Mercier (best part ever!) and pretty much is Chauvelin's bitch

Awesome

I brought a bunch of my fencing buddies to see the show when the tour came to San Francisco years ago. We hung out at the stage door and spoke to Douglas Sills. When we mentioned we were all fencers he immediately got into the classic en-garde position And I heard at the very next stop they sped up the Percy/Chauvelain swordfight choreography

I like both the OBC and the Encore. While I prefer the spunkiness of Rachel York of "Encore", I also prefer the more serious (read: not overacted) Terrence Mann of the OBC. As for the change to open the show with "Storybook," I heard it was because opening it with "Madame Guillotine" made audiences assume it was going to be a heavy dramatic piece like "Les Miserables," so "Storybook" set the overall tone better.

R.

Jealous, I am jealous you got to speak to Douglas. Everyone raves on how spunky he is at the stage door. I wanted to see Addams Family JUST for him, never happened.

Rachel York is a great Marguerite, and she's always a nice addition to a show. As for that change, that's a load of bull. Storybook is the kind of song that I always pictured that was *beneath* Marguerite to sing. Which was the reason she sang it as a tavern lass. I thought it brought down her character as for that being a choice of one of her acting roles. Audiences should have sucked it up and enjoyed it, it seemed to deviate further away from the novel with each change. 'I'll Forget You' drives me nuts.